Extended Security Updates (ESU): Protecting Legacy Systems Beyond End of Support

Extended Security Updates (ESU) provide organizations with critical security patches for Microsoft products that have reached end of support. Without ESU, legacy systems like older Windows Server and SQL Server versions remain vulnerable to newly discovered exploits, exposing businesses to downtime and data breaches. ESU allows companies additional time to complete migrations while maintaining compliance and protecting workloads. Delivered annually and renewable for a limited term, ESU ensures vital updates continue while IT teams modernize infrastructure. Organizations relying on legacy software should evaluate ESU to bridge the gap between unsupported systems and secure, future-ready platforms.

Microsoft Extends Windows 10 Extended Security Updates: What You Need to Know About the 2025-2026 Program

Microsoft Extends Windows 10 Extended Security Updates: What You Need to Know About the 2025-2026 Program

Ravi Jain
Microsoft's Windows 10 Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, a critical measure designed to provide continued security coverage for users beyond the operating system's official end-of-support date of October 14, 2025. It details three flexible enrollment options: a free method via Windows Backup sync, another free option through Microsoft Rewards points, and a direct payment of $30. The program, which runs from October 15, 2025, to October 13, 2026, exclusively offers critical and important security patches, explicitly excluding new features or non-security updates. The document emphasizes that while ESU serves as a temporary bridge for individuals and organizations unable to immediately upgrade to Windows 11, transitioning to a supported operating system remains the recommended long-term strategy for robust cybersecurity. ... Read More